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Local actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver food and water to those in desperate need.

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, cut off by the country's worst natural catastrophe in recent years.

Cyclone Ditwah lashed the country last week, causing widespread destruction that killed more than 400 people, left hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also inspired a surge in volunteerism, as people face what the president has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason for getting involved, is to at least help them to have one meal," he shares. "And I was so happy that I was able to do that."

More than one million people have been affected by the disaster and a national emergency has been declared.

The military has sent helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is flowing in from international partners and non-governmental organisations.

But it will be a long journey to rebuild for Sri Lanka, which has seen its fair share of turmoil in recent years.

Activists Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, individuals who demonstrated in 2022 are now helping run a makeshift kitchen that churns out meals.

The protests from three years ago were fuelled by a severe economic downturn that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger exploded and led to a leadership shift. Now, that civic energy is being channelled toward disaster response.

"People came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," one organizer explains.

"We reactivated the group as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says.

The organizer also views the kitchen as an "continuation" of his community service in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have gathered hundreds of requests for help, sent the information to authorities, and managed the delivery of food.

"Every request we made, we got more than enough in response from the community," he notes.

Online Campaigns for Support

A flurry of activity is also happening on the internet, where netizens have created a public database to channel resources and helpers.

Another volunteer-backed website helps supporters find shelters and see what is in highest demand in those areas.

Private companies have organized fundraising efforts, while media outlets have started an effort to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the handling of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all divisions" and "unite to rebuild the nation".

Opposition politicians have claimed authorities of ignoring weather warnings, which they say exacerbated the disaster's effects.

Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in parliament, claiming that the ruling party was trying to limit debate on the disaster.

On the ground, however, there remains a sense of togetherness as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," one volunteer wrote after working long hours at aid centers.

"Disasters are not new to us. But, the compassion and capacity of our hearts is greater than the damage that occurs during a disaster."